Acetylation of Acacia Mangium Wood Fibres and its Application in the Medium Density Fibreboard

Citation

Abstract / Synopsis

The effective utilisation of low quality wood of
Acacia mangium Willd. would be for the production of
medium density fibre board (MDF). However, MDF is
susceptable to biodegradation and dimensionally unstable
when in contact with water, which is also associated
with the deterioration of the mechanical and physical
properties of the board. Nonetheless, research on wood
has shown that it is possible to eliminate the
biodegradation and dimensional in stability through
chemical modification. This study was there fore
conducted with the aim of evaluating the acetylation
characteristics of Acacia mangium wood fibres and the
properties and performances of the board produced.
pilot acetylation was conducted to establish the
optimum reaction conditions, which was subsequently used
as a guide in the bulk acetylation of the fibres. Boards were manufactured from both the acetylated and
unacetylated fibres and the properties and performances
of the boards were evaluated.